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All Chapters of Seven Years of Winter Before Spring: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

26 Chapters

Chapter 11

Miles sat on the couch, staring at the divorce certificate on the coffee table.The living room lights were off, and rain hammered against the windows, drumming a sharp rhythm.He reached for the cigarette pack, only to find it empty. He crushed it and tossed it in the trash.A half-finished cup of cold coffee sat in the trash, made by Wendy sometime before he left the house, though he could not remember exactly when.“You have a weak stomach. Don’t drink too much.” Wendy would always look at him with concern.He would drink half and pour out the rest.She seemed to say things like that all the time.“Don’t stay up late,” “Remember to eat,” and “Don’t drink so much.”He used to find it annoying and thought she was nagging, but now, in the silence of the house, he found himself wishing he could hear her say just one of those things again.Belinda came over, her wheelchair rolling against the floor.She glanced at the divorce certificate on the table. Her lips twitched as thoug

Chapter 12

Miles stared at Wendy’s face on the divorce certificate and suddenly remembered the first time he brought her home.Back then, his mother was sitting on the couch in the living room. Her expression was cold as she sized Wendy up from head to toe. She set her teacup down heavily on the coffee table. “So, this is the girlfriend you’ve chosen?”Wendy straightened her back, but her fingers subtly clenched the edge of her clothes.“Mom.” Miles wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I won’t marry anyone else.”He remembered Belinda throwing the cup in anger, while he grabbed Wendy and left without a second glance.It rained heavily that night. They took shelter in a small roadside café. Wendy’s hair was soaked. “Do you think your mom will ever like me?”“Who cares?” Miles slipped her cold hand into his pocket. “I like you. That’s enough.”Back then, Wendy would blush at a single word from him. She would sneak into his office with late-night snacks while he worked overtime. She would s

Chapter 13

The next day, Miles was ready to drive to places where Wendy might be staying. Before he left, he only told Vivian to take good care of his mother.Vivian nodded obediently and asked cautiously, “Miles, are you going to look for Wendy?”Miles froze for a moment but did not answer.As soon as his car pulled out of the driveway, the smile on Vivian’s face vanished.She kicked off her slippers, padded barefoot across the marble floor, and shouted toward the kitchen, “Mrs. Walls, get me an iced Americano!”The wheels of Belinda’s wheelchair creaked as she rolled out of the study. “Vivian, it’s time for rehab.”Vivian rolled her eyes and walked over slowly. “Didn’t Miles say you can walk now, Belinda?”“The doctor said it still needs to be stabilized.” Belinda frowned at her. “Go get my medicine first.”The bitter smell of herbal medicine hung in the kitchen.Vivian pinched her nose as she carried the bowl out. Belinda took one sip and immediately spat it onto the floor. “It’s scal

Chapter 14

Miles rushed into the hospital just as nurses hurried past, pushing a gurney. Belinda lay on it, her head covered in blood.“What happened?” He grabbed Vivian’s wrist. His brows were deeply furrowed. “How did my mom fall down the stairs?”Vivian’s eyes instantly reddened, tears spilling down her cheeks one after another.“Miles, it’s all my fault. Belinda said she wanted to practice going down the stairs. I was holding her, but she suddenly slipped.”Her fingernails dug hard into her palm as she forced out two tears.When they were in the ambulance earlier, the doctor told her that Belinda had suffered severe head trauma and might never wake up again.That old woman finally…. She nearly laughed out loud.Miles stared at her reddened eyes, then suddenly noticed a trace of a smile she had not managed to hide in time.“…You’re happy?” Miles narrowed his eyes.Vivian’s heart jolted. She quickly looked up at him. “How could I be? I-I was just scared.”She sobbed softly and leaned i

Chapter 15

Miles’ car screeched to a halt in the hospital parking lot. He slammed the door and strode toward the inpatient elevator.The elevator doors were closing slowly, and he pulled out his phone to check the time. Half an hour ago, Vivian texted him and told him that his mother had gone to sleep and that he did not need to rush back.Still, he sped along, unwilling to linger in that empty, silent house.He stepped lightly toward the hospital room, and just as his hand reached for the door handle, he heard a sharp smack from inside, like a palm hitting flesh.“That old witch…” Vivian’s voice was barely audible, low and harsh. “Why won’t you just die?”Miles was stunned for a moment.Through the glass window in the door, he saw Vivian standing with her back to him, in front of the hospital bed. Her once-tidy long hair was disheveled.She raised her hand again and struck his mother’s leg that was sticking out from the covers.“Still alive after falling from that height?” Vivian pressed

Chapter 16

Miles shoved Vivian into an empty hospital examination room and locked the door behind her.Vivian staggered to steady herself. “Miles.” She reached out to grab his sleeve.He moved back, slipping out of her grasp. “When my mom wakes up, you’re going to tell her.”Tears immediately welled up in her eyes. “I swear, I didn’t mean it! You gotta believe me.”“Shut up.” Miles turned around and left. Then, he heard movement from Belinda’s bedside.She was awake.The doctor rushed over to check on her. Miles stood at the bedside, watching Belinda's cracked lips move. “It was Vivian. She pushed me.”“I know.” He handed her a cup of water. “The cameras caught it all.”Belinda grabbed his hand. “Is Wendy really gone?” Her gaze was cloudy and her voice hoarse. “I never thought her taking care of me was the only time I felt comfortable.”Miles froze for a moment.He did not expect Belinda to bring up Wendy now.Eric Zabel hesitated for a moment before he asked, “Mr. Carter, about Ms. Ya

Chapter 17

That morning, Wendy slept in for once.When she opened her eyes, she stared at the ceiling for a long moment before realizing this was not the cold bedroom at the Carter residence.There was no breakfast she had to prepare by six on the dot, no mother-in-law waiting to be served, and no Miles.She shook her head, stepped barefoot onto the floor, and pushed open the window. Damp sea air rushed in, carrying the salty tang of the ocean.Downstairs, the breakfast stall owner was frying bacon and sausage, the oil crackling as the smell drifted upward.“Perfect timing,” Madeline called from the kitchen, sticking her head out while holding a cup of freshly bought soy milk. “The bacon and sausage will be ready in a minute. Go wash up first.”Wendy sat at the dining table, sipping the warm soy milk in small mouthfuls.“So, what’s the plan today?” asked Madeline as she scrolled on her phone. “Would you like to take a walk by the beach?”“I’d like to go to the fabric market,” answered Wen

Chapter 18

Miles stood at the hospital room door, peering through the glass at Belinda undergoing her examination. Her complexion was much better than it was a few days ago, and she could now sit upright against the pillow.“Mr. Carter, your mother is recovering faster than expected.” The attending physician walked toward him, flipping through her chart. “Most of the intracranial hematoma has been absorbed, and her speech and motor functions are gradually improving.”“Thank you.” Miles nodded, though his gaze remained fixed on his mother.The caregiver, Bella Zane, stepped out of the room while carrying a basin. “Mr. Carter, the madam just asked to see you.”He took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Belinda leaned against the headboard with her eyes locked on him.“Mom, how are you feeling?” Miles sat by the bed, took an orange, and started peeling it.Her lips twitched, and she watched his hands for a moment before asking, “You’re leaving?”Miles froze for a moment. He did not expec

Chapter 19

Wendy pushed the door open, clutching a roll of design sketches. Her hair was loosely tied back with a few stray strands framing her face.She looked up to speak, but her gaze froze on the man standing at the counter.It was Miles. He looked a little thinner. His eyes were burning with that familiar stubborn light.“Wendy.” Miles stepped forward.Wendy spun around and headed for the door, grabbing Austin’s wrist. “Let’s go.”“Wendy!” Miles rushed after them, blocking their path.He reached for her arm, but before he could touch her, Austin stepped in.“Don’t touch her.” Austin put himself between them.Miles’ eyes pierced past Austin’s shoulder, fixed on Wendy. “I miss you, Wendy.”Pedestrians on the street glanced over, curious about what happened.Wendy took a deep breath and patted Austin’s back. “It’s okay. Go and wait in the car.”Austin hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head to confirm with her.The quiet, natural intimacy between them made Miles clench his tee

Chapter 20

Miles’ black sedan followed the white SUV at a careful distance. Rain blurred the windshield, but he kept his eyes locked on the vehicle ahead, knuckles whitening on the steering wheel.The SUV turned into a residential complex and stopped under a six-story building. He saw Wendy get out and Austin open an umbrella over her side.The umbrella tilted toward her as though he had done it a thousand times before.What made Miles angrier was seeing Wendy take the keys and unlock the apartment door like she knew exactly what she was doing.They were living together?Miles slammed his car door and sprinted over. Rain pounded down, drenching him in seconds.“Wendy!”Both of them looked back at the same time. Her lips were pressed into a straight line.“You’re living together?” Miles’ voice was sharp with anger. “We just broke up! And you’re already living with him?”Austin stepped forward. “Mr. Carter, calm down.”“Back off!” Miles swung a punch, landing square on Austin’s jaw.Th

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